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Community Health

Topics related to the community health of Lincoln County.

Community Health

Midsummer Night 2024

Step into a world where magic and wellness unite! Join us at the Midsummer Night’s Dream Health Faire on Thursday, June 13, 2024, 4:30 – 7:00 p.m. Dive into a dreamy evening focused on colon health, featuring community vendors, delicious food, exciting prizes, and a special speaker – all free of cost.

Agenda

4:30 PM

Doors Open (Middle School Entrance)

Vendor Faire (Grade School Gym)

Food (Grade School Gym)

Enter Raffle Drawing

6:00 PM

Special Speaker on Colon Health: Dr. Raaj Ruparel (Middle School Gym)

Kids’ Teddy Bear Clinic (Library)

7:00 PM

Fair Ends

Vendors

Airlift Northwest Odessa Memorial Healthcare DSHS Mobile Outreach
Lincoln County Health Department Farm Hans Fred Hutch Cancer Center
Life Flight Network Rural Resources Community Action Aging & Adult Care of Central Washington
NEW Alliance Counseling Services Black Dog Tackle Davenport Vision Source
People for People Wellpoint Lincoln Hospital & Clinics
3C Creations and Expressions Disability Action Center Northeast Washington Molina Healthcare
Intermax Networks WA DOH / Universal Developmental Screening / Strong Start Rural Resources Victim Services
Stitch

Featured Activities

Raffle

Your Colon's Health

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Community HealthResources

Naloxone

Naloxone

Naloxone, commonly known by the brand name Narcanâ„¢, is reverses opioid overdoses.  Naloxone has been used by medical professionals since 1971, but wasn’t available to the general public until 2015 when the FDA approved an over-the-counter version of it. The nasal spray does not require any special training or certification for using it. In Washington state, there is a standing order for naloxone, which means anyone can obtain it without a prescription or prior referral for free.  Lincoln County Health Department provides naloxone free to anyone who or you can order it through the mail via the WA Department of Health. You can also find other locations in the state via the Washington State Naloxone Finder.

Substance Use Prevention Coordinator
Ratna Bhupalam
509.215.1044

Email Ratna

Naloxone blocks the effects of opioids by attaching itself to the opioid receptors in the brain. Depending on a variety of factors, a person may need more than one dose of naloxone. If you think someone is having an opioid overdose, it is better to give someone naloxone than not, as there are no side effects. An opioid overdose may cause a person to be unresponsive, have blue or grey lips and fingernails, making gasping or gurgling sounds, slow or shallow breathing, not breathing at all, or having pale or ashy skin.  If you believe someone has overdosed on opioids, call 911 and administer naloxone.

How to Administer Naloxone

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Community HealthResources

LinCo Littles

LinCo Littles

LinCo Littles is a FREE home visiting program focused on assisting families who are pregnant or have littles under the age of one. LinCo Littles families will receive an infant safety review of their home, supplies to supplement their current safety measures, and regular visits with a community health nurse. Any parent, guardian, or pregnant person living in Lincoln County is eligible from the moment they learn they are pregnant until baby’s first birthday.

Apply for LinCo Littles

LinCo Littles
Abby Withers, BSN, RN
509.215.1042

Email Abby

Program Goals

LinCo Littles has four primary goals:

  • Promote positive childhood experiences
  • Promote positive mental health in parents and guardians
  • Increase home safety
  • Decrease maternal and family smoking rates

Program Benefits

After filling out our online application, a Lincoln County Health Department nurse will schedule your first
at-home appointment!
We will check-in with you at least every two months, but we are always available for your questions or concerns. We will provide you with:
  • Free home safety items.
  • Assess how we can  support parental mental health
  • Provide in-county and  online resources.

Eligibility

Any parent, guardian, or pregnant person living in Lincoln County is eligible. The program can begin as soon as someone finds out they are pregnant and continues through the baby’s first birthday.

Our priority populations include:

  • First-time parents
  • Moms 19 and under
  • Low income (according to the 2024 federal guidelines)
  • High-risk pregnancy
  • Transitional homes (i.e. foster care)
  • Non-parental primary caregivers
  • Mothers who experienced health complications
  • Babies who experienced health complications

Application/Enrollment

If you or someone you know is interested in joining the program, they will need to complete the LinCo Littles application. Enrollment is on a rolling basis, with services generally starting the next month. Specific program timelines are provided in the next section.

Timeline

The LinCo Littles program opened its initial application period on February 12, 2024, with the first home visits in April 2024.

For services beginning the following month, applications must be submitted by the 25th. Services will have a month delay if the application is received after the 25th.  For example, if you apply on March 15, you will receive services beginning in April. If you apply on March 28, you will receive services beginning in May.

Program Code of Conduct

The LinCo Littles Program is a free service Lincoln County Health Department provides to our community as a way to increase safety, improve health outcomes, and support people during one of the most challenging times—pregnancy through baby’s first year. In order to keep the program safe, positive, and aligned to these goals, the following code of conduct agreement provides the commitment LCHD is making to you, and the commitment we ask you to make. We support you while you support baby.

What we ask of you:
–Be present for your scheduled visit time. Please call to reschedule if a conflict arises.
–Treat the LCHD staff coming into your home with respect.
–Do your best to assist in creating a safe environment for you, baby, and a community health nurse to meet during a scheduled home visit.
–Be honest in answering health-related questions and in feedback for how we can improve our program.
–Ensure all animals are safely secured prior to the LCHD nurse entering your home.
–Implement safety measures in your home that are provided by LCHD in the free welcome basket (i.e. fire alarm, carbon monoxide monitor, baby gate, outlet covers, etc.).

What you can expect from LCHD:
–Your community health nurse will treat you and your family with compassion and respect.
–They will always maintain professional boundaries, including confidentiality and abide by HIPAA guidelines for health-related information.
–It is important to know the nurses are mandated reporters and thus required to report suspected or confirmed child abuse or neglect, including domestic violence and the use of illegal drugs by anyone in the home.
–These reporting areas are to protect you and the community and are part of their licensing.
–The nurse is there to help connect you to resources, as long as the current situation is safe for you and baby.

Please note that client may be discharged from the LinCo Littles program due to:
a) Violations of the code of conduct agreement
b) Repeated or severely inappropriate behavior by others in the home
c) Death

The LinCo Littles program may end due to reasons outside of our control, such as :
a) Loss of funding
b) Service needs exceed what LCHD can provide

In the event of a public health emergency, home visit services may be interrupted. Should this happen, a LCHD nurse will contact you regarding appropriate next steps.

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AdministrationCommunity HealthResources

EMS Inquiry

Emergency Preparedness Inquiry

Thank you for your interest in serving our community. We are always looking for volunteers to ensure those in need are able to receive care quickly. Please complete the below form, which will send the information to our emergency preparedness coordinator. Please allow at least two business days for a response, as they are often in the community conducting this training.  Thank you again!

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Community HealthResources

Quit Tobacco

Quit Tobacco

Congratulations on deciding to quit!!

Quitting tobacco is hard. Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical, and it’s not the only one present in the tobacco products that are on the market. Addiction to any substance causes your brain to change and our bodies to become dependent on them. We tend to think about addiction in relationship to hard drugs like meth or opioids, but nicotine can be as addictive as heroin or cocaine. But it can be done.

The key to successfully quitting tobacco is to not do it alone. No matter how hard asking for help is, using a support bumps success rates from 8% to 80%. A 2018 study found that cumulatively, three out of every five smokers were able to successfully quit. The options, science, and understanding of how to effectively help people quit smoking has exponentially expanded since then. That means you have the best shot at being able to quit today than you ever have before!

There are a variety of options to help you quit smoking. You don’t have to choose just one—and combining support can increase your success rate. Most of these options are free. To help you know which ones are not free, the resource has a $ beside it. If you have insurance—whether private or Medicare or Medicaid—your insurance may cover the cost.

Youth-Specific Supports

There are tons of resources to help you quit. But why not get something that is made specifically for you? The following resources are made for teens and often are peer-reviewed and supported, meaning they were made by teens, so it’s not another adult telling you what to do.

Mom-Specific Supports

There are lots of resources available to help you quit smoking. But sometimes you want the other end of the line to know what it’s like to quit as a mom. Here are some specific resources for pregnant moms.

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Community Health

Tobacco

Tobacco

Everyone knows that using tobacco is bad for us. Whether it’s a traditional cigarette, smokeless tobacco, or vaping, the health effects tobacco has on our bodies are undeniable. According to the CDC, tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death.  But people continue to smoke. Why?

Each person will have an individual reason why they choose to smoke, but everyone will share the main reasons it’s hard to quit.

  1. Your brain is used to smoking. The nicotine in tobacco is addictive, just like any other substance. Over time, the brain changes and begins to need nicotine to function.
  2. Your routines include smoking. It’s no secret that we love routines. When smoking becomes part of your routine, changing it is complicated. Whether it’s the loss of social time, the shift in how we deal with emotions, or not smoking while doing something specific, changing any routine is hard and when combined with reason #1, quitting can feel impossible.

The good news is millions of people have quit smoking for good. There are a variety of ways to quit smoking—and data shows us most adults who smoke want to quit smoking. Picking the best way to quit for good will depend on a variety of factors, including what kind of tobacco you use.

In the Numbers

Lincoln County Stats

In the Numbers

Lincoln County’s smoking rate is 17.2%, lower than the US rate of 20%, but higher than the state average of 13.9%

View the Lincoln County Stats

Tobacco History

Tobacco has a long history of being used in places across the globe. Some Indigenous tribes use tobacco for religious or spiritual reasons. Like many resources, it once was used as payment and carried significant value. Tobacco smoking, chewing, cigars and cigarettes have been around for hundreds of years and were prevalent in society.

  • 1880s-Cigarette Machine Developed
    Tobacco use was primary through pipes, cigars, and chew until the late 1880s when the first cigarette machine was developed. This reduced the cost of tobacco significantly. From then until 2014, cigarettes became the most popular form of consumption. Believe it or not, 100 years ago, people thought smoking was good for you.
  • 1960s-First Side Effect Report
    It wasn’t until the 1960s that enough evidence was gathered to link smoking to diseases like cancer. There were studies before this, but the societal understanding of the health effects of smoking is attributed to the 1964 Surgeon General’s report. Tobacco companies came back and added filters to their cigarettes, advertising that this took care of the problem
  • 1980s-Updated Report
    In the late 1980s, another surgeon general’s report acknowledged that quitting smoking wasn’t a moral or will-power issue, but rather the same issue as other chemicals: smoking is addictive. While great information, smoking was still very common and allowed almost everywhere. It’s important to note that parallel to the smoking research, second-hand smoke research took off in the 1970s and ‘80s. The results of these studies were also included in the 1986 surgeon general’s report. With the change in communication channels and increasing ease of accessing information, this report started to truly change the way tobacco was used.
  • 1970s-Restrictions Began
    Restrictions on smoking began in 1973, with Arizona being the first to have designated smoke-free places , with other states following to restrict where smoking was allowed. In 1990, San Luis Obispo, California was the first city that enacted a city-wide ban on public smoking . In 1995, California banned smoking in all restaurants in the state . Bans and restrictions on where people could smoke in public continued throughout the country as the effects of secondhand smoke became clearer. As of March 2023, 28 states have banned public indoor smoking, no matter the location.
  • 1986-First Vaping Pen
    With the shifting public opinions, tobacco trends shifted again. A version of the current vaping pens first came out in 1986, when a battery powered cigarette that would heat the tobacco, which was in liquid form, up without burning it was released. The logistics of it were not made for long-term success and the product faded away. However, in 2003, the first modern day vaping device was invented in China . It hit the market here in 2007 and has grown in popularity . In fact, since 2014, vaping has been the most popular way to use tobacco.

WA State

Smoking in Public Places Law

2005

For Washington state, the Smoking in Public Places law went into effect in 2005, which banned smoking in all indoor public places and workplaces in the state. It also requires at least 25 feet of distance from the openings of these locations.

Smoking in Public Places Law

WA State

State Vapor Product Law

2016

In 2016, Washington passed the State Vapor Product Law, regulating vaping sales and banning public vaping in the same places as public smoking.>

State Vapor Product Law

Special Note

**The 29 federally recognized Indigenous Tribes in Washington State are 29 separate nations which are not governed by the US government. The laws for tobacco use on tribal land are governed and enforced by the Tribe.**

Tobacco Products

Tobacco  is grown, harvested, and sold like any other crop. But unlike the wheat we see in Lincoln County, tobacco is dangerous from the start. Green tobacco sickness is when too much nicotine is absorbed through the skin from contact with the tobacco plant.  Despite its early warning that it is not safe, the sale and use of commercial tobacco continues.

Cigarettes

Cigarettes were the most common form of tobacco until vaping took over in 2014. The Oxford Dictionary defines a cigarette as a “thin cylinder of finely cut tobacco rolled in paper for smoking.” There are a variety of cigarettes which each offer a different experience. However, whether its filter-less or filtered, menthol or regular, smoking cigarettes is detrimental to our health.

Vaping

Vaping  is technically a type of smokeless tobacco, but given the rise in popularity, it has become its own type of tobacco. Vaping is the more common term for e-cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems or ENDS. Vaping is done through a battery-operated device to heat up a liquid, which contains nicotine (or marijuana), flavoring, and chemicals. When the liquid is heated, it creates the vapors which are then inhaled and exhaled. There are more than 450 different kinds of vaping devices on the market. Vaping is the number one form of tobacco used by youth smokers. In 2023, 1 out of every 22 middle school student and 1 in every 10 high school student had vaped within the last month

Cigars and Cigarellos

Cigars and Cigarillos  are unique as they not only contain the tobacco within their casing, but their casing is traditionally a tobacco leaf. In fact, according to the US tax code, the wrapping must contain tobacco as well. It’s tobacco on tobacco! Cigars are the largest form for smoking tobacco, with cigarillos being smaller than cigars but larger than cigarettes.

There are unique perspectives on cigar smoking which show clear differences between race and socioeconomic class. Cigarello usage is highest in young Black male populations, while cigar smoking is higher with older while male populations.  Cigar smoking is perceived as more attractive than cigarette smoking with adults and seen to be less addictive than cigarettes with youth.

The bottom line is that cigar smoking is just as bad for someone’s health as smoking a cigarette, vaping, or smokeless tobacco because tobacco is present in all of these forms

Smokeless Tobacco

Smokeless tobacco is defined as tobacco usage through chewing or snuffing. Tobacco meant for chewing is simply dried tobacco leaves which are chewed to activate nicotine. Snuff comes in two forms—dry and wet.  Dry is not common in the US, as it is finely ground and meant to be snorted. Wet snuff, also called dip, is loose or pre-packed pouched of ground tobacco that is placed around the gum and the nicotine is absorbed through the gumline.

Smokeless tobacco was in the news in 2023 when the FDA noted that it was better than cigarettes. Context is critical here as they said it was only better when looking at lung cancer. Since this type of tobacco is not inhaled and never gets to the lungs, that makes sense. It does, however, have a significantly higher rate of cancer in the mouth and esophagus.

Pipes

Pipes are rare in the tobacco use world—it’s so small there is not a pipe-smoking only statistic, as they lump it in with smokeless tobacco, which was only 2.6% in 2020. Research shows pipe smokers are generally male, over 45, and located in the Midwest.  But it is a form of tobacco use, with the dried leaves being placed in a pipe, lit, and then inhaled.

Hookahs

Hookahs are similar to pipes, but uses charcoal to heat the tobacco and water to cool the smoke before it is inhaled. While some may think this layer of “filtration” helps lower the risk, it does not. In fact, because hookahs use charcoal to heat the tobacco, there are increased levels of carbon monoxide, metals, and other carcinogens. Additionally, the juice the hookah produces is linked to increased mouth cancers.

In the Numbers

2023

In 2023, cigars were the third most popular form of tobacco use among middle and high school students.

Cigar Facts

Youth Tobacco

If you’re under 18, you’re considered a youth by the scientific community, although it’s illegal to buy or possess tobacco products until you’re 21.  Even then, just because you can buy it and use it doesn’t mean you should.

While tobacco usage is bad at any age, it is particularly harmful to young people. Studies show addiction to nicotine is stronger and faster than in adults—you only need 5mg of nicotine a day to develop an addiction. The average single cigarette has anywhere from 6 to 28 mg of nicotine in it. Vaping isn’t any better, as vaping for 5 days is equivalent to smoking 18 cigarettes. It’s no wonder why 75% of teen smokers grow into adult smokers. In fact, 87% of adult smokers had their first smoke by 18 and 95% by 21.

In the Numbers

Lincoln County Stats

Lincoln County had a 3.4% youth tobacco usage rate in 2021, down from the 7% it was in 2018.

View LinCo Youth Tobacco Stats

Smoking is dangerous and we all know it, so why do teens start? There are lots of reasons, with peer pressure (whether actual or perceived), effective tobacco marketing, and many think they’ll smoke now and quit by the time they’re out of high school. In fact, only 5% of teen smokers thought they’d be smoking once they graduated.

Many choose vapes , thinking they are a better alternative to smoking. But the vapor part of vaping isn’t water and it’s just as dangerous. Even those that are labeled as nicotine free normally aren’t, as there are no rules on how they are made

For many teens there is a disconnect between the risks and their situation, with many thinking the risks are only when they are an adult. But the risks of smoking aren’t just when you’re an adult. Tobacco affects the development of your lungs, damages your heart, and is even associated with increased ADHD in teens. Not to mention the side effects of bad breath, yellow teeth, and smelly fingers are immediate.

It doesn’t matter if you “only smoke/vape when you go out,” or you “only smoke/vape a little.” Light smoking (smoking only a cigarette at a time), intermittent smoking (smoking here and there) and social smoking (smoking only with friends) is still using tobacco. And using tobacco  in any amount has been shown to have the same health risks of long-term tobacco use. Plus, every cigarette (or its nicotine equivalent) shortens your life by 11 minutes, on average. That may not seem like a lot, but a pack of cigarettes or a 5% JUUL pen shortens your life by 220 minutes. That’s over 3 and ½ hours…that’s longer than Oppenheimer.

There is good news though—if you want to quit, there are a ton of resources and supports out there. And plenty of them with teens in mind. From apps to text-lines, from virtual meetings to in-person, accessing quitting support has never been easier. Quitting itself is hard. And most people don’t succeed the first time. BUT you don’t have to do it alone, which increase your chance of success by up to 80%!

Your Life. Your Time.

DYK

1 cigarette takes away 11 minutes from your life, on average. 1 pack of cigarettes or 1 5% JUUL pen takes away 220 minute from your life, on average.

Risks of Occasional Tobacco Use

Tobacco Use and Pregnancy

Every mom wants the best for their baby, with many shopping for months to create the perfect, warm, happy space. But creating the best for baby begins before they are even born!  If you are pregnant and a tobacco user, quitting is the very best thing you can do.

The effects of tobacco use vary, depending on the type of tobacco used. From cancer to heart issues, skin concerns to increases in stroke, tobacco is one of the worst things we can put into our bodies. Smoking while pregnant is not only bad for mom thought—it’s bad for baby. Smoking while pregnant can increase the chance of a miscarriage, a variety of pregnancy complications, and premature delivery.

Babies whose mothers used tobacco while pregnant have a higher rate of low birth weight, organ development issues, increased risk of cleft lip or palate, and brain development concerns which continue into their childhood. Once born, babies who live in smokefree environments are less at risk for SIDS, are healthier with fewer coughs, chest colds, pneumonia, ear infections, and other childhood illnesses.

Some moms think vaping is better than smoking. It is not better. Nicotine damages the development of baby’s brain and other vital organs. It doesn’t matter if it’s from a cigarette or a vape.

Lincoln County has a 8.6% rate of maternal smoking, significantly higher than the state average of 2.8% and the national average of 4.6% . In fact, in 2022, maternal smoking was rated as one of the top six health concerns for our community.

The good news is that while quitting can be challenging, finding the resources and support to quit is easier than ever. People who quit often fail at least once, but those who quit with support have an 80% increase in successfully quitting. And most of the resources are 100% free!

Find Mom-Specific Quit Support
Learn More About Quitting Tobacco

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Community HealthEnvironmental Health

Foodborne Illnesses

Foodborne Illnesses

Contamination can occur anywhere. From cleaning chemicals to pathogens, when outside materials are introduced into a food source, foodborne illnesses, aka food poisoning, can happen. There are a vast array of viruses and bacteria that can make people very ill. Rarely is the contamination intentional—most of the time it is from a simple mistake or oversight—but it can’t be fixed if no one is aware of it.

From a public health perspective, when foodborne illnesses begin in a public establishment, we want to know so we can begin an investigation. Keeping our community safe is our number one priority, so if you believe you’ve gotten a foodborne illness, please let us know.

If you experience bloody diarrhea, please seek immediate emergency medical attention.

Most Common Foodborne Illnesses

There are countless bacteria, viruses, substances, and other contaminants which can cause foodborne illnesses. Some of the most common are below.

For other foodborne illnesses, the A to Z Index for Foodborne Illnesses by the CDC is a great resource.

Reporting Foodborne Illnesses

Thankfully foodborne illnesses rarely originate in Lincoln County, but they do occur. Food can be contaminated at a state or national level, and when you bring it home from the grocery store, your family can get ill. Reporting a foodborne illness is critical to help stop the spread of the illness.

If you or someone you know believes they have a foodborne illness, please contact the LCHD. We understand you are likely to not be feeling well when you report; however the following information about your activities leading up to being ill can make the difference in whether we can stop the spread.

We will ask about the following information when you report:

  • When did the symptoms begin? The more exact the better. For example, saying Wednesday morning is better than last week, but saying September 9 around 8pm is best.
  • What symptoms are you experiencing?
  • Are there any other people you know that are experiencing similar symptoms?
  • What have you consumed in the last three days? When you report, we are not going to judge your eating habits. We would rather hear about a pint of ice cream in an evening than leaving it out and having that be where the illness came from. Your personal habits will be kept confidential.
  • Where have you eaten in the last three days? Please try to be as specific and complete as possible. That morning cup of coffee? We want to know. A quick stop for a snack on the way home? We want to know. No piece of information is too little.
  • Have you been seen by a medical professional? If so, what was the result/what was their opinion?

If you experience bloody diarrhea, please seek immediate emergency medical attention.

Return to the Environmental Health Home Page
Return to the Lincoln County Health Department Home Page

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Community Health

Immunizations

Immunizations

Immunization comes from the word immunity, meaning you are protected from a certain disease, and is achieved by receiving your vaccines. A vaccine is a medicine which helps teach and prepare the body to fight off a certain disease. Vaccination and immunization can be used interchangeably, as they share the same goal: protecting you and the community from diseases.

The immunization process begins when we are babies: in fact, all babies born in Washington receive their first Hepatitis B vaccine before they even leave the hospital. After that, there are recommended vaccination schedules based on age. Childhood vaccines are broken up from birth to six years and seven to 18 years. While there are options on whether to immunize or not, if the child attends public school, there are required vaccines they must have before they enroll. This is to protect the safety of all the students, faculty, and staff at the schools.

Adult vaccination recommendations begin at 19. There are certain times where additional vaccines are recommended, such as pregnancy or being immunocompromised. When traveling to certain parts of the world, additional vaccines may be needed as well to protect you from specific, regional diseases. Those who have a primary care provider will be able to discuss the schedule and make sure they are protected in the way best for their health.

Why Immunize

Vaccines and immunization are again hot topics in many circles. Are they safe? Why do we need them? If the disease is gone, can we stop? All parents want to keep their children safe and healthy, just as we all want to keep our loved ones safe and healthy. Vaccines are one of the easiest ways we can achieve this goal.

Safety

Vaccines go through a rigorous testing process to make sure they are safe before they are released to the general public. The pandemic was a unique period in time where emergency measures were taken to help prevent the massive death toll that could have happened. However, even these vaccines used methods previously tested and deemed safe when they were developed, in addition to having to go through the same trials as standard vaccines, but on a shortened timeline.

The majority of the vaccines on the standard vaccine schedule and the required school vaccines have been used for decades and are completely safe. Immunization begins at birth, as babies and the elderly are the two populations most at-risk for severe illnesses that can result in death.

Relevancy

Diseases like polio and diphtheria used to have a high mortality rate, but thanks to vaccines, they are rare in the US. The flu of 1918 had an estimated mortality rate of over 50 million people, but now flu deaths are less than 35,000, thanks in part to vaccines. Vaccines work by not only reducing the number of people who will catch a disease but also by reducing the number of people who will die from complications.

While we may say a disease is gone, it only stays gone because we vaccinate. If there are no people who can support the virus, there is no where for it to go. When we don’t vaccinate, the number of available hosts increases, and viruses can come back. This happened in 2019 with the measles, which was declared eliminated in the US in 2000. The vaccinations declined and there was an outbreak where over 1,200 people caught measles that year.

Immunity

It takes about two weeks for full protection against a disease to develop, with protection lasting anywhere from a few months to a lifetime. The length of protection a vaccine provides is determined in part by the disease and in part by the vaccine type. Some vaccines use complete dead virus cells to train our bodies how to fight them, and some use inactive, but still alive cells. Both are effective but change the level of protection provided. Some diseases, such as the flu, change every year and so the vaccine is made for the specific flu virus we expect to see that year. This is why sometimes we get a flu shot but still get the flu. Even when that happens though, the severity of the flu is much lower than it would be without a flu shot at all.

Vaccine Schedule

The vaccination schedule is updated every year, as the CDC and other agencies monitor diseases and adjust to make sure we are all safe. The 2024 schedule was just released and can be viewed below as well as on the Immunization Schedule page of the CDC website.

They also put together an easier to read version of these schedules, which we expect to have soon. The 2023 version of these schedules are below.

In addition to the CDC national vaccine schedules, the WA DOH provides school and child care immunization requirements that govern these organizations within our state. The most recent requirements are below.

Vaccine Records

Certain vaccines are required before a child can attend school or enroll in a childcare program. This is to protect everyone from diseases deemed dangerous. In order to document these vaccines, parents are required to show a certificate of immunization status. This form can be completed by a provider, or by the family when they attach the medical records showing the vaccine was given.

If you need a copy of your vaccine records, there are several options.

MyIR

MyIR is a website that provides the immunization records the state has on record for you and your family. Accessing the records is easy—you’ll login to MyIR, create an account by answering some questions and confirming your identity, and then you’ll have records available to view, download, and print. These records can be used for school documentation.

MyIRMobile

MyIRMobile is a website and app that allows you to access your vaccination records, including COVID vaccines. The information can be viewed, downloaded, and printed; however, these records are NOT able to be used for school documentation.

Your Provider

Your local provider can provide vaccination records as well. If you’ve gotten vaccines at a pharmacy, they can provide those records, but may or may not be able to provide complete vaccination records.

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AdministrationCommunity Health

COVID-19

COVID-19

COVID-19 rocked the world when it brought a global shutdown in March 2020. Since then, the virus has become part of our daily lives. It continues to spread, mutate, and change, just like the flu once did. And just like the flu, it will never go away, but its impact will likely decrease over time.

In May 2023, the public health emergency ended and with it, many of the restrictions and requirements which were implemented when the virus was at its highest. The additional funding also ended, which changes how prevention and treatment of the virus is handled.

While COVID is no longer at pandemic status, it is not gone, and it is unlikely to completely disappear. As with any illness, it will affect people differently. Young children and older adults are more at risk for serious complications and variations of the virus. You can keep yourself, your family, and your loved ones safe from COVID by following the guidelines and recommendations. The CDC website will have comprehensive COVID-19 information, but the below areas will provide a good baseline for how to stay healthy.

Current COVID Status

VACCINES
LCHD is no longer offering COVID vaccines. Please contact your healthcare provider or visit VaccinateWA to find the closest provider.

TESTING
LCHD has free COVID test kits available in the lobby of our office. You can also order four free tests through USPS.

EXPIRED TESTS
The FDA has adjusted COVID test expiration dates. You can see the extended expiration dates on the FDA COVID At-Home Test

Public Guidelines
As the Public Health Emergency has closed, there are no guidelines or restrictions on business or organizations.

COVID Symptoms

There are a wide range of potential symptoms with COVID-19. Symptoms generally appear within two to 14 days after exposure. Some of the most common symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath/Difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion
  • Runny nose
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

These are not the only symptoms though, as there are many factors in how COVID presents in an individual. If you believe you have been exposed and are not feeling well, it is always safest to stay home and test for COVID.

Emergency COVID Symptoms

The following symptoms are considered an emergency and should be treated by a medical professional immediately.

  • Significant trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake up or stay awake
  • Pale, grey, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

If you or someone you love is showing any of these symptoms, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

COVID or the Flu?

COVID and the flu can share many of the same symptoms, but they are not the same illness. COVID is more severe, easier to spread, and takes longer to show symptoms than the flu. The CDC has compiled a list of similarities and differences between the flu and COVID on their The Difference between Flu and COVID-19 page. A few key considerations when you are not feeling well:

  • It is impossible to tell whether it’s the flu or COVID based on symptoms. Taking a COVID test is one way to determine if it’s COVID.
  • You can have COVID and the flu at the same time. Since they are different viruses, this can happen, although it is uncommon.
  • If you have COVID, you are contagious for a longer period than with the flu. COVID is contagious for eight days after symptoms appear, while the flu is contagious for only three to four days.
  • Some people with COVID could have no symptoms at all, which is called asymptomatic. While there may be no symptoms, they are still considered contagious.
  • Treatment for both viruses are most effective within the first days of being ill, so if you are not feeling well and believe it to be the flu or COVID, test at home and schedule a doctor’s appointment.

Whether it is COVID or the flu, you can protect your loved ones and the community by staying home when you don’t feel well, avoiding others, and wearing a mask in public if you must go out.

COVID Vaccines

As of November 2023, the CDC recommends the 2023-24 updated COVID vaccine by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Novavax. This vaccine was released in October 2023. Vaccines prior to this date are not considered up-to-date and people should receive at least one of the 2023-23 updated COVID vaccine.

Most vaccines depend on your age, and COVID is the same. COVID vaccines have some variation for children between six months and four years old, but most people will only need one vaccine to be considered up-to-date. Recommendations are below.  CDC has also created a visual chart to help determine what is best for your situation.

Age Range Unvaccinated Vaccinated prior to 2023-24 update
6 months to 4 years 2 doses of 2023-24 Moderna

OR

3 doses of 2023-24 Pfizer

 1 dose 2023-24 Moderna for previous Modern vaccines

OR

2 doses 2023-24 Pfizer vaccine for 1 previous Pfizer vaccine

OR

1 dose 2023-23 Pfizer vaccine for 2 or more previous Pfizer vaccine
5 to 11 years 1 dose 2023-24 Moderna

OR

1 dose 2023-24 Pfizer

 1 dose 2023-24 Moderna

OR

1 dose 2023-24 Pfizer
12 years and over 1 dose 2023-24 Moderna

OR

1 dose 2023-24 Pfizer

OR

2 doses 2023-24 Novavax

 1 dose 2023-24 Moderna

OR

1 dose 2023-24 Pfizer

OR

1 dose 2023-24 Novavax

The CDC Frequently Asked Questions can provide additional guidance on safely receiving a vaccine for a variety of situations, including considerations for youth, pregnancy, immunocompromised, and more.

COVID Exposure

COVID exposure is when you have come in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID. Suspected exposure is when you have been in contact with someone who may have COVID but has not been diagnosed. Whether it is a confirmed or suspected exposure, taking precautions the moment you find out will help reduce the chance of spreading it to others. Precautions should be taken for 10 days after exposure and begin simply: wear a mask any time you are around others.

The next 10 days will depend on whether you start showing symptoms or not. It is important to start the 10-day clock at the right time to keep everyone safe. It begins the first full day after exposure. So, if you were around someone on Friday, Saturday is your day 1.

Day 1 to Day 6 will be monitoring your symptoms. If you develop symptoms, test immediately. If positive, you’ll need to follow the COVID Positive precautions. On day 6, if you have not shown any symptoms, test for COVID. If your test is negative, complete a second test on day 8 and continue to wear a mask and avoid high-risk people through day 10.

On day 8, if you have not shown any symptoms, test for COVID. If your test is negative, complete a third and final test on day 10 and continue to wear a mask and avoid high-risk people through day 10. On day 10, before you remove your mask and resume your normal routine, test for COVID a third and final time. A negative test on day 10 will confirm you likely do not have COVID and can resume your normal routine the next day.  If at any time during the 10-day period you begin to show symptoms, test immediately.

At day 11, which is actually 12 days after exposure, if you have no symptoms and no positive tests, you can resume your normal schedule. While wearing a mask and avoiding people is not always the most exciting choice, it is the best choice to keep your loved ones healthy.

If you do not want to do repeated at-home tests, you can always schedule an appointment for a clinical PCR test to confirm you do not have COVID.

Quarantine vs. Isolation

Quarantining keeps someone who may have a virus away from others by restricting their interaction with the community. Isolation keeps sick people away from healthy people, even inside a home.

COVID Positive

If you take an at home COVID test and have a positive result, you should take immediate steps to reduce the chance you will pass it along to someone else and to help ensure you do not develop complications from COVID. There are many options to treat COVID, and the right one for you will depend on your health history, the severity of the COVID infection, and other factors. If you test positive at home and have mild symptoms, stay home. If you test positive and have severe symptoms or are considered high risk (i.e. immunocompromised, older than 65, etc.), scheduling a medical visit is the best next step to ensure you fully recover.

Please note, COVID is considered a notifiable condition. This means when there is a positive test, the doctor and/or lab must report it to the health department. You will likely receive a call from us to check-in on you. We do this to not only find where it came from so we can prevent it from spreading, but also because we want to be able to support your recovery from it. You can learn more about this on our Notifiable Conditions page.

Quarantine vs. Isolation

Quarantining keeps someone who may have a virus away from others by restricting their interaction with the community. Isolation keeps sick people away from healthy people, even inside a home.

COVID Timing

If you receive a positive test and have no symptoms, the day of the test is day zero. Day 1 begins the first day after the test. If you receive a positive test and have symptoms, day zero is the first day of your symptoms and day 1 is the first full day after your symptoms started.  The CDC has an Isolation and Exposure Calculator to help you determine the best timeline for keeping you, your loved ones, and the community safe.

Immediately After a Positive Test

When you have a positive test result, even if you have no symptoms, you will need to isolate yourself from others for at least five days. Isolation means you will separate and avoid interaction with everyone, even in your own home. This helps keep your family safe from catching the virus and starting a cycle of passing it back and forth. This cycle is called a retransmission cycle and is very common in homes.

Isolation and Recovery

If you tested positive, have no symptoms, and do not develop any symptoms, you can end your isolation on day 5. From day 6 to day 10, you should quarantine by staying home and avoiding the public. If at any time you develop symptoms, the clock starts over at day zero.

If you tested positive and had symptoms, but they are improving, you can end your isolation on day 5 as long as you have been fever-free for 24-hours. If your symptoms are not improving, you should continue to isolate until they improve and you’ve been fever free for 24-hours. For those with moderate or severe (hospitalized) symptoms or are considered immunocompromised, isolation should continue through day 10 to ensure you are able to fully recover.  No matter the symptoms, your provider can always answer your questions about when it’s time to stop isolating.

Isolation Checklist:

  • Wear a mask anytime you are around others, even at home.
  • Stay home as much as possible.
  • Do not travel.
  • Use separate rooms, when possible, for all activities, including sleeping.
  • Use separate bathrooms, when possible.
  • Do not share personal items, food, or drinks with anyone.
  • Avoid pets, when possible, and keep them away from your face.
  • Wash your hands regularly.

COVID Treatments

There are now options to help treat COVID for those who are at risk of developing complications or are immunocompromised. For most people, treating the symptoms of COVID with over-the-counter medicines likes acetaminophen or ibuprofen will help you feel more comfortable.

For those at-risk, there are two prescription medicines which you can take at home to help. These target the virus and stop it from multiplying, which reduces the length and severity of the illness. These meds, called antivirals, must be started withing five days of developing symptoms to be effective. Like the vaccine, the prescription treatment options—called Paxlovid or Lagevrio, are currently being transitioned to the general market. This is expected to be completed by December 31, 2023, after which time people who are un- or under-insured will be able to receive financial assistance if they are prescribed one of these.

There is a third antiviral which must be administered intravenously over three consecutive days. This third option is not yet privatized but is meant for some of the most severe cases.  When and if it moves to the general market is not yet clear.

These treatment options can be wonderful options for some people, but they can also interact with medications and have their own set of risks. It is ultimately up to you and your provider on whether an antiviral treatment option is the best for you. You can learn more about these options on the CDC COVID-19 Treatment and Medications page.

Long COVID

While many people recover from COVID without any lingering issues, some people continue to have health issues related to their COVID infection. The continued health issue is called Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions, and is broadly defined to include any signs, symptoms, or conditions that continue (or develop) after COVID. Long COVID is associated more with people who have severe COVID, but anyone who had COVID can develop Long COVID.

There are certain situations which increase the chances of developing Long COVID, including:

  • Not being vaccinated against COVID
  • Having COVID repeatedly
  • Having a severe case of COVID.

Long COVID is still new in the medical realm, which means there is a lot to learn. Information will be updated and may even change, as we learn more about it. You can learn more about Long COVID and follow the updates as more is understood on the CDC Long COVID page.

Long COVID is a recognizable condition under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The US Department of Health and Human Service has guidance for this addition.

COVID-Specific Resources

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Community Health

WIC

WIC

The Women, Infants, and Children’s (WIC) Program provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, health screenings and referrals, and financial support for healthy foods. We serve pregnant, new, post-partum and breastfeeding moms as well as their children until they turn five-years-old. While WIC is funded by the US Department of Agriculture it is administered at a state level.

The Lincoln County WIC office operates within the LCHD office in Davenport. Enrollment in the program requires an eligibility assessment to ensure we have everything needed to provide services. Appointments are available Tuesday through Thursday from 8 am to 4pm, as well as the fourth Friday of the month. Appointments outside of this time can be arranged by calling Ronda Caddell, RN.

Lincoln County WIC
Ronda Caddell, RN, BSN
509.215.1026

Email WIC

Eligibility

WIC program eligibility is determined by income and household size. More families are eligible than they realize, as being employed does NOT make you ineligible. Families who receive Medicaid, TANF or SNAP, are most likely eligible, but other families not using these services can be eligible too.

The program provides services for mothers from pregnancy to birth of the child but can extend to the baby’s first birthday if they breastfeed. Once the child is born, the child is then eligible until they turn five. Some under-utilized options include:

  • Foster Children: Foster children under the age of five as well as foster pregnant teens are eligible for WIC.
  • Grandparent Caregivers: Grandparents who are raising their grandchildren under the age of five can enroll their grandchildren in WIC.
  • Fathers: Father who provide the primary care of their children under five can enroll their child in WIC.
  • Non-Biological Caregivers: If you are raising a child who is under five, you can likely enroll the child in WIC.

These are not the only situations where eligibility still applies. If you believe you might be eligible, call the Lincoln County WIC office and we’ll be happy to discuss your situation to see if WIC is right for you.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with the Federal Civil Rights Law and the USDA Civil Rights Regulations and Policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from public assistance programs, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activities in any program or activity funded by USDA.

To read the full statement, learn about accessibility resources, or to learn about lodging a complaint, visit the USDA Non-Discrimination Statement page.

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